Understanding the why and how of Filipino religiosity

Mahar Mangahas’ column on the persistence of Filipino religiosity made for a very informative and provocative reading (“The religiosity of Filipinos,” 4/23/2022). Although surveys capture perceptions and attitudes about events and behaviors, they have one built-in limitation: they do not answer the how and why questions, which are also important in gaining a deep and holistic understanding of the enduring importance of religious faith for most of us. It raises three questions.

The first question is why has religion remained durable and vital for Filipinos across time amid secularizing and pluralizing influences? Everyone’s educated guess may be good as mine. One perhaps is religion’s differentiated function to provide meaning and purpose to life or answers to questions of ultimate value that science or political ideologies seemed not able to match or replace. In addition, there is also empirical evidence that shows a strong and direct link between religiosity and economic status. Thus, it may not be a stretch to say that the lamentable fact that majority of Filipinos are economically vulnerable contributes to their abiding private form of religiosity.

Second, based on the belief that religion is not only about right believing but is also about right living, the other important question to ask is how does religiosity impact one’s day-to-day life? The Bible does not lack statements reminding believers that religious faith without good work is dead, or blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it. Pope Francis puts it more bluntly: It is not enough to say we are Christians; we must live the faith not only with words but with our actions.

Finally, and since religion and politics are also bedfellows in this country, would it not be too much to ask that, for this fast-approaching May 9 national elections, we allow ourselves to be guided by religion’s shared commitment to the common good when we choose and vote for the most qualified president of our beloved country?

NOEL G. ASIONES
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